Easy Ways to Add a Line in Word

Horizontal lines are great for visually breaking up your Word documents, making them look more organized. Here’s how you can quickly add them using a couple of methods.

Method 1: Using AutoFormat Shortcuts

This is probably the fastest way to get a line into your document.

  1. Place your cursor where you want the line to appear.

  2. Type three hyphens (---) in a row and then press Enter. Word will instantly turn those hyphens into a neat horizontal line.

    Word document with cursor placed before typing hyphens

  3. Pro Tip: You’re not limited to just hyphens! Try these for different line styles:

    • Type ___ and press Enter for a solid bold line.
    • Type *** and press Enter for a dotted line.
    • Type === and press Enter for a double line.
    • Type ### and press Enter for a thicker line.
    • Type ~~~ and press Enter for a wavy line.

Method 2: Drawing a Line Manually

If you need more control over the position and style of your line, you can draw it manually.

  1. Click on the Insert tab at the top of your Word window.

  2. In the Illustrations group, click on Shapes. A dropdown menu will appear.

  3. Under the Lines section, choose the kind of line you want to insert.

  4. Click and hold your mouse where you want the line to start, then drag your mouse until the line is the length you need. Let go of the mouse button when you’re done.